Reversing rudder for small boats



March 13, 1951 F. R. ABBOTT 2,544,642

REVERSING RUDDER FOR SMALL BOATS Filed March 14, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 a ii- I ii u.

INVENTOR.

FRANK R. ABBOTT Attorney March 13, 1951 F. R. ABBOTT INVENTOR. FRANK R. ABBOTT BY March 13, 1951 ABBOTT 2,544,642

REVERSING RUDDER FOR SMALL BOATS Filed March 14, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 4

INVENTOR.

FRANK R. ABBOTT A? torney March 13, 1951 R, ABBOTT 2,544,642

REVERSING RUDDER FOR SMALL BOATS Filed March 14, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fl G.5

INVENTOR.

FRANK R ABBOTT Affornev Patented Mar. 13, 1951 UNITED STATE-Sf PATENT OFFICE a: L ZJQMZII. I H a i 'REVER'SING RUDniiR FQR 'S-MALL 30ers Frank R. Abbott, San age, Calif. I. a I Application Mai-ch14, 1946, Serial No. 654,483

s Claims. (01. 114 145) (Grantedhnder the act of March 3, 1883 as 5 mechanism for deflection and reversal of the slip stream or propeller wash.

It is known in the art that the forward direc-" tion of small boats may be varied by a'sim ple rudder acting on the wash'f'ronithe propellersI- Iti's likewise known that direction can be completely reversed witholutexces'sive deviation from' existihg line of travel by a reversible pitch proconstructions falling within the spiritand scopeof the inventionas defined in the appended claims; .11.

In accordance with my invention two adjacent:

.widenticalqmetal': strip supports; I slightly separated. athwartshipxfare fastened vertically toa": hull .Z angl a. skegr3 bybolts 4 slightly aft of'thef 1 propeller and'isymmetrical relative: to the pro-3' peller ora reverse gear on the propulsion mechif anism with accompanying clutch. "Thesefmeth ods present cost; weight. handling an'd inaim' tenance problems 'to'sm'all boat'op'erationl The effective accompaniment of both'lof the fo're'going the art.

"l5 m'otions by a single mechanismis unknown in provide improved means for reversing and "con trolling the direction of travel of small boats'by the interception of their propeller wash.

Another object of this invention is to provide said mechanism for adjustment and reversal of" the propeller wash that is light weight, inexpensive, simple to install, operate and maintain.

bility of operation as well as to the ease and expeditious manner of accomplishing the desired results.

' Other objects and advantages of the invention 4 will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with accompany ing drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view of a side elevation of the after end of a small boat with cut away portion to show manner of mountingmy invention.

Figure 2 is a"plan' view with rudders in position for course dead ahead.

Figure 3 is a plan view with rudders in posi-' tion for course to starboard.

:Figure 4'is a plan view with rudders in posi-.-'

tion for course to port.

Figure 5 is a plan view. with rudders'in posi-' tion to reverse direction of travel of the boat.

Whilethe inventionis susceptibleof various mo dificationsland alternative constructions, I

have shown in the drawings" and will herein describe in detail? the :preferrediembodiment.

isto be understood, however, that I do not intend tOi-Qimii; the invention byv such disclosure for I i to cover. all modifications and alternative jected center line of the propeller shaft;- The lead edges of a port rudder:5 and a starboard rudder 15 s are fastened :between and to the supports-I"byjrivets-l. The rudders areflexible and-.9: preferably constructed of v rubber impregnated fabric orflaminated material which is pulled-taut and-fsecuredby rivets 20 to metal straps III that encircle trailing vertical-metal port post 8 or star board post 9' respectively. These posts are fas tened, at the-top, to-the after end of correspond-'- ing streamlined top port plate II or starboard"; plate 12' which are interleaved and likewise to similar bottom 'port plate I3 or starboard plate I4'(a1so interleaved). The after ends of the top" and bottom plates are inclined off, horizontal towards each other and the rudders are also tapered to insure formation of closed end semi-cylindric'cups when therudders are in position having' maximum effect on propeller wash. The for- I ward ends of plates II and I3 are secured to a vertical shaft I5 which is located immediately aft of' the supports I back about one-third of i the distance between them and the posts 8 and 9. 'I'heforward end of the plate I2 is secured to a metal sleeve I6 which freely encircles the shaft 4 I5 and extends in-an upward direction thru a. control-lever I8. The forward end of the plate I l is apertured to permit its free movement about the' shaft I5 whic'h extends downward thruand" is shouldered against the skeg3. The shaft and} sleeve project. in ,;an' upward direction thru a :watertight bearing I 9 in the" hull and are respectively secured at a convenient operating height to horizontal control levers I1 and I 8. 2 Thecontr'ol levers operate either of the corresponding rudders-conventionally when the other ,is. held steady in a position having least effect on the propeller wash. The relative position of the shaft I5 and the rudder leading edges is an essential feature of my invention; as it insures slack in the rudders {or the formatio-n of curved surfaces in propeller -mechanism for moving --said rudders to form The propeller wash trailsimmedlately aft and the rudders are neutral as the boat proceeds directly forward. A slight adjustment of either rudder can be made to insure adherence to course if necessaryto counteract the effect of propeller rotation, drift or current. a

The rudders positioned for starboard boat course areshown in Figure 3. The wash from the propeller impinges on the surface of the starboard rudder 6 and the boat proceeds to starboard. The port rudderSisinactlv'e,

The rudders positioned iorpofrt boat "course are shown in Figure 4. The wash from'the-pro peller impinges on the surface of the port rudder 5 and the boat proceeds to-port. "The-star board rudder 6 is inactive.

The rudders positioned to reverse boat direction by each control lever being turned- 120", iniop'po site directions are shown in Figure 5. Theproe peller wash impinging onthe port and starboard rudder surfaces is efiectively reversed by the-ey lindrical shape of the rudderrmate'rial a'nd";,the boat proceeds backward at about 50% forward speed.

The invention described herein may .beimahm factured and used layer for the Government or the 'BUnited States *for "governmental purposes without the payment of anyroyalties thereon or therefor.

: What is claimed is:

1.=Mechanism *for controlling direction of movable body: through adjustment and reversal oi slip stream or propeller wash created-brim propulsion machinery comprising, span-=01 inter leaved stream'lined top -.and' bottom plates,- two adjacent ruddersof pliant-material"withileadine' edges securedto said movabie'bo'dy and-trailin edges--rcspeetively to ,saifd plates, the mag orgsur faces -of said rudders in neutral ,positiombeing substantially parallel to said wash', *and-control mechanism for moving said "rudders :to form curvedsurfac'es in said wash.

"2. Mechanism for controlling "direction of a movable body through adjustment and reversal of slip stream or propellerwashcreated by its propulslonmachinery comprising-Japan of in'te'rleaved stream-lined top and bottom plates, :two adjacent-rudders of rubber impregnated "fabric with leading edges-secured to said movable body and trailing edges respectively to sa idplates; the

major surfaces of said rudders in neutral position being substantially parallel to said :wash' and control mechanism for moving saidrr'udders to iormcurvedsurfaces in said-wash.

fix-Mechanism for controlling direction of :a i

1i} and, trailing. edges, respectively to said plates, the "major surfaces of said rudders in neutral position movable body throughadiustment andreversal oi slipstream or propeller wash created by its propulsion machinery comprisinga-pair-of inter leavedstream-lined .top:andbottom-plates,;-two' adjacent rudders of laminated material withleadin'g edges secured to said mdvablebodyand trailing edges respectivelyto saidplates, the major surfaces of-said rudders inneutral-position being substantiallyjpara'llel to said wash, and control curved surfaces in said wash. I

4.=Mechainism for controlling "direction of a movable body through adj ustme'ntaudf reversal of slipstream or propeller wash createdby'its pro pulsion machinery comprising "a @pair of interjleaved stream-lined top and "bottom :plates, two adjacent-rudders or pliant material Withdeading edges securedto said movable body andtrail lng edges respectivelytosaid plates, the major surfaces of:saldvrudders lnneutral-position being 4 substantially parallel to said wash, and control mechanism for moving said rudders to form semicylindrical cups in said wash.

5;Mechanism for controlling direction of a movable body through adjustment and reversal of slip stream or propeller wash created by its propulsion machinery comprising a pair of interleaved stream-lined topand bottom plates, two adjacent rudders of rubber impregnated fabric with leading edges secured to said movable body beiugsubstantially parallel to said wash, and control mechanism for moving said rudders to forin 'semi-cylindrical cups in said wash.

firfMcchanism for controlling direction of a movable body through adjustment and reversal bfslipstream orpropeller wash created by its propulsion machinery comprising a, pair of interleaved stream-lined top and bottom plates, two adjacent "rudders pfla-minated material with leading-:edges' securedtQsaid. movable body and trailing edges; respectively to: said plates, the-.major surfaces of said rudders inneutral position beingsubstantiallyparallel to said-wash, andcontrol mechanism for moving said, ruddersto' form semi-:cylindrical cups in said wash. 1 .7lyMechanismiorcontrolling direction of a movablebodythrough adjustment and reversalof 2511p stream (if-P10981161" washcreated by-its; pr0- pulsion machinery comprising a-pair of inter: leaved, stream-lined top and bottom plates; two. adjacent ruddersgotpliant: materiaiwltli leading edscs' Secured" to saidsmovable. bodyandtrailing as edges.- respectivel tossaidgplates, the major :sur-

faces-of said rudders in. neutral position being substantially parallel to said wash, a pair of;-in-' dependently operable levers-a sleeve movable by onenf the levers,.;a. shaft. movablev by-the other nected respectivelyto the -.aforwardends ofthe" plates abaft the rudder. leading edgesfor moving said rudders to form curved surfaces insaid wash. 8.--Mech'anism vfor controlling 7 direction of a .movable-bodir .through adjustment and reversalof slip stream or propeller wash -,createdby its propulsiom-machin'ery comprisinga pair-of interleavedstream-lined top and bottom-plates, two adjacent rudders of rubber -.impregnated fabric with, leading edges secured :toaidmovable-body andtrailing.edsesrespectively to. said plates-the major surfaces of said rudders in neutralpositiontbeingi substantially: parallelv to. said washra pair :of :;:independent1y opelabledevers, a sleeve .movable byone'of theilevers,;ashaft movable by ,surlfa'ce'soI zsaid rudders in i neutral,:posltion be substantiallyparallel tosaid waslna :pair of 1- independently. operable levers, asleeve movable by'one of the levers ashaft movable by theother of said levers, =sai'd sleeve and shaft :being con- :1- nected respectivell to the forward ends of the-5 plates-shaft the .ruddemeading edgesrfor more):

ing said rudders to form curved surfaces in said wash. f

10. Mechanism for controlling direction of a movable body through adjustment andreversal of slip stream or propeller wash createdby its propulsion machinery bomprising a pairof interleaved, stream-lined top and bottom plates, two adjacent rudders of pliant material with leading edges secured to said movable body and trailing edges respectively to said plates, the major surfaces of said rudders in neutral position being substantially parallel to said wash, a pair of independently operable levers, a sleeve movable by one of the levers, a shaft movable by the other of said levers, said sleeve and shaft being connected respectively to the forward ends of the plates abaft the rudder leading edges for moving said rudders to form semi-cylindrical cups in said wash.

11. Mechanism for controlling direction of a movable body through adjustment and reversal of slip stream or propeller wash created by its propulsion machinery comprising a pair of interleaved, stream-lined top and bottom plates, two adjacent rudders of rubber impregnated fabric with leading edges secured to said movable body and trailing edges respectively to said plates, the major surfaces of said rudders in neutral position being substantially parallel to said wash, a pair of independently operable levers, a sleeve movable by one of the levers, a shaft movable by the other of said levers, said sleeve and shaft being connected respectively to the forward ends of the plates abaft the rudder leading edges for moving said rudders to form semi-cylindrical cups in said wash.

12. Mechanism for controlling direction of a movable body through adjustment and reversal of slip stream or propeller wash created by its propulsion machinery comprising a pair of interleaved, stream-lined top and bottom plates, two adjacent rudders of laminated material with leading edges secured to said movable body and trailing edges respectively to said plates, the major surfaces of said rudders in neutral position being substantially parallel to said wash, a pair of independently operable levers, a sleeve movable by one of the levers, a shaft movable b the other of said levers, said sleeve and shaft being connected respectively to the forward ends of the plates abaft the rudder leading edges for moving said rudders to form semi-cylindrical cups in said wash.

13. A rudder mechanism for controlling direction of a boat having propulsion machinery for creating a propelling slip stream. said mechanism comprising a pair of substantially planar flexible rudder members positioned in the slip stream and having leading and trailing edges, a pair of movable supports connected respectively to the trailing edges of the rudder members, a common pivot mounting for the supports disposed intermediate the leading and trailing edges of the rudder members, and means including said supports for flexing said rudder members substantially one hundred and eighty degrees, whereby the trailing edges of the rudder members may be moved laterally and forwardly to reverse the direction of the slip stream.

14. A rudder mechanism for controlling direction of a boat having propulsion machinery for creating a propelling slip stream, said mechanism comprising a pair of substantially planar flexible rudder members positioned in the slip stream amm- 6 and having leading and trailing edges, a pair of movable supports connected respectively to the trailing edges of the rudder members, and a pivotal mounting for each of the movable supports,

including upper and lower plates pivoted aft of said leading edge and arranged substantially parallel to the slip stream for confining changed directions thereof to horizontal movement and so positioned that lateral and :forward swinging movement of a support will carry the trailing edge of the associated fnember from a rear position into a position substantially laterally spaced from the leading edge, thereby substantially reversing the direction of the slip stream.

15. Mechanism for controlling direction of a movable body through adjustment and reversal of slip stream or propeller wash created by its propulsion machinery comprising a pair of movable supports, two adjacent rudders of pliant material with leading edges secured to said movable body and trailing edges respectively to said supports, the major surfaces of said rudders in neutral position being substantially parallel to said wash, a pair of baiiles secured parallel to the direction of wash at the ends, respectively, of each said support thereby enclosing the rudders and confining the redirected wash to substantially unidirectional flow from each rudder, and control mechanism for moving said rudders to form curved surfaces of at least ninety degrees curvature in said wash.

16. Mechanism for controlling direction of a movable body through adjustment and reversal of slip stream or propeller wash created by its propulsion machinery comprising a pair of movable supports, two adjacent rudders of pliant material with leading edges secured to said movable body and trailing edges respectively to said supports, the major surfaces of said rudders in neutral position being substantially parallel to said wash, a pair of independently operable levers, a sleeve movable by one of the levers, a shaft movable by the other of said levers, said sleeve and shaft being connected respectively to the forward ends of the supports abaft the rudder leading edges for moving said rudders to form curved surfaces in said wash.

17. A rudder mechanism for controlling direction of a boat having propulsion machinery for creating a propelling slip stream, said mechanism comprising a pair of flexible rudder members positioned in the slip stream and having leading and trailing edges, a pair of movable supports connected respectively to the trailing edges of the rudder members, and a common pivot mounting for the supports disposed forwardly of the trailing edges of the rudder members, whereby the trailing edges of the rudder members may be moved laterally and forwardly to cause the rud- .der members to form simple curved surfaces of at least ninety degrees curvature within the slip stream.

18. A rudder mechanism for controlling direction of a boat having propulsion machinery for creating a propelling slip stream, said mechanism comprising a pair of flexible rudder members positioned in the slip stream and having leading and trailing edges, a, pair of movable supports connected respectively to the trailing edges of the rudder members, and a pivotal mounting for each of the movable supports, so positioned that lateral and forward swinging movement of a support will carry the trailing edge of the associated member forwardly to'curve the surface of said 

